October 22nd, 2006
From Monday til Thursday of this past week I was at the annual priest’s seminar held up at Nottawasaga Inn. What I got most out of this meeting was meeting so many priests from so many different countries serving here in the Archdiocese. We were reminded that the Mass is celebrated in 37 different languages every Sunday here in Toronto.
At my group table I met a young priest from Ethiopia who is the chaplain at Toronto Western and I met a priest from Poland who spent 15 years in Brazil and is now working in a Portuguese parish in the city. Talk about mobility.
Today is Mission Sunday – it’s a day on which we are asked to support the missionary activities of the church and to pray for those men and women who leave family and country to preach the gospel in other lands. I was preaching a mission in Florida and the pastor was what was known as an FBI – foreign born Irish. He told me, ‘ sure I came to this country 25 years ago to do good – and I’ve done well.’
For years Canada did a great job sending missionaries to other countries – we still have the Scarboro Foreign Mission Society and Our Lady’s Missionaries – the Maryknoll Fathers were famous in the States.
The Passionists were founded in 1745 and before our founder St. Paul of the Cross died in 1775 he’d sent missionaries to Bulgaria and even though we were small in numbers Passionist Missionaries were sent to England and the States by 1852. The American Passionists sent men to Hunan Province in Northern China in 1920. The Communists expelled them all in 1954 so we started new mission fields on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines and then in Jamaica, West Indies, in Haiti and Honduras.
From the very beginning the church was missionary – Jesus sent his disciples out, two by two, to all the towns and villages He was about to enter.
In past years Canada sent missionaries out to other countries. Today Canada is receiving missionaries from other countries. If it were not for the many priests from many lands serving so many parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto we would be in dire straights. The truth of the matter is, we are now on the receiving end of things. I hear people complain about some of these foreign priests – how difficult it is to understand them, they have such heavy accents. I think of what the poor people in China had to put up with as our American missionaries struggled trying to preach in Chinese – what goes around comes around. Again, if it wasn’t for so many priests from so many different counties coming here – the church in Toronto would be in trouble.
The Passionists just finished a general chapter in Rome. One of the movements in our community is what we’ve called ‘restructuring’ the congregation. Our Father General, who will be here for the dedication of our new church in November, wants to move us from being too locally conscious – too territorial – to being more universal – more available to the needs of the community and church throughout the world. Vocations are scarce in Europe and North American – they are many in the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Africa – we have to spread Passionist manpower around more evenly.
On this mission Sunday we are asked to support the missionary works of the church financially and spiritually. We can pray for those men and women from Canada who have gone to serve in other lands – and we can pray for those priests who leave family and homeland and come to Canada to minister to us – learning English, getting used to our food, our climate, and our ways. It’s not easy for them and they need our prayers and patience. We are blessed to have them.
We say that the church is a missionary church – sent to preach the good news of Jesus Christ. But you good people are the church – we are all meant to preach the gospel – by the very lives we live. I love that teaching of St. Francis of Assisi – preach the gospel at all times and when necessary, use words. We can all be missionaries, witnesses to our own faith, by the lives we live, the work we do, the prayers we pray and the service we give – giving witness to our faith in Jesus Christ by what we say and what we do. Let us pray for each other that we be so.
| Posted in Homily |
Total: $11,864.95
This fall we will look at our new “green” church from different perspectives, including: “Who started us in this direction? Why did we choose this way of placing the pews, the altar, the pulpit (ambo)? Do we as Catholics have any tradition linking ecology and religion?” — and any other questions you may have. Each topic will be repeated the following week. You are invited to join us on: DATE: Wednesday, NOVEMBER 1st (to be repeated on November 8th) TIME: 10:30 AM to noon PLACE: Come to the Parish Office
We hope the discussions will be informative and enjoyable. We are also prepared to offer this series of presentations on alternate Tuesday evenings for those interested, beginning NOVEMBER 7th at 7:30 PM. If you wish to attend Tuesday evenings, please phone Mary Landry at 416-293-3760.
On TUESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 31st, we will begin with the topic: How is our Christian life and ethics similar to those of other faith traditions? How are they different? TIME: 7:30 – 9:00 PM PLACE: Come to the Parish Office
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is one of the Seven Sacraments. This Sacrament is celebrated with those who are seriously ill, those who are preparing for surgery and the elderly. The preferred place for celebrating this Sacrament is in the Church with family and the members of the parish community present. All are more than welcome to attend.
This is an opportunity to ask the candidates questions about the issues that affect you and the community. The meeting has been organized by Concerned Citizens for a Better Willowdale. This is an informal group of residents who want to encourage discussion of the issues and increase interest in the election so that more people make an informed choice and vote. The meeting will be held on Thursday October 26th at 7:00PM in the Gabriel Meeting Room. For more information, contact the Coordinator, Kelvin Wheeler at 416-250-6346.
A reception will be held on Saturday, November 11th at 2:00PM in the Gabriel Room II for those in the parish community who are newcomers to the country. If you came to Canada recently ( in the past five years), please join us. We would like to get to know you and hear how you are adjusting to life in Canada. Please call Fatima at: 416-221-8866 to leave your name and contact number.
General meeting Tuesday October 24th in the Trinity Room. There will be a Mass at 1:00PM, followed by the general meeting. The special guest speaker is Fr. Liborio Amaral, Director of Serra House. All ladies of the parish are cordially invited.
Your prepared chicken rice casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses next weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. More volunteers are encouraged to get a copy of the casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
Sunday November 5th at 3:00PM – Alex Seredenko, who is the accompanist for the 12:30 Mass, is a student of the Glenn Gould School, studying piano. Alex has graciously offered to perform a little bit of Lizst, Beethoven, Chopin and Bach. It will be quite a performance, as Alex is a brilliant, talented musician. All are welcome. A small reception will follow.
will be hosting a CHRISTMAS CRAFT & BAKE SALE on the weekend of December 2nd & 3rd. Donations of craft items & baked goods will be most welcomed for this worthwhile event. Raffle tickets will be on sale on November 11/12 after all the Masses and again on November 25/26. Volunteers will also be needed. Please contact Linda 416-226-4645 or Bernadette 416-226-0100.
Wednesday November 1st at 7:30PM at St. Bonaventure Parish Centre, 1300 Leslie St. Free admission. The audience will be invited to participate in the discussion following the presentation. SPEAKER: SUSAN PIGOTT, Chief Executive Officer of St. Christopher House and co-chair of the Task Force on “Modernizing Income Security for Working-Age Adults” MODERATOR: MARY DEANNE SHEARS, FORMER Managing Editor of the Toronto Star
on November 2nd. Tickets are $150 per person. To reserve tickets or to learn more about the Mary Centre please call Lily D’Gama at 416-864-2616.
| Posted in Bulletin |
October 15th, 2006
In the Information Brochure we give out to new parishioners, there is the story of the rabbi who responded to a group of young people who had been badmouthing their religious upbringing – claiming they had been dragged to church and brainwashed.
For the rabbi religion involved three things – belonging, believing and becoming. Belonging in the sense that a person knows they are welcome in a community and that they have a sense of personal ownership, responsibility and commitment to the well being of all the people in the community of faith. Believing in the sense that supported by the faith example of others in the community they grow in their own personal relationship with God. Becoming, in the sense that a person seeks to grow to a full maturity in Christ and is willing to take ownership and responsibility for the adult decisions in their lives.
The rabbi felt that most religions fail people when they deny them the opportunity to grow.
One of the teachings we can take from today’s demanding gospel is that Jesus offered this good young man the opportunity to grow. This enthusiastic, faithful young man has kept all the commandments from his youth – he was truly observant of the law, faithful to the rituals, kept the fasts and feasts. Here’s a good young person who thought he had it all together.
Mark tells us that Jesus looked at him, loved him and in that love offered him more – a challenge, chance to grow. Un-clutter your life. “Go sell what you have, give it to the poor and follow me, and I’ll show a way to live and love you could never have imagined.”
We have no idea what this young man expected of Jesus but he was stunned by what Jesus said – sell what you have, give to the poor – break out of your observant comfort zone – overcome your smugness at keeping the laws – Get beyond keeping familiar rules and rote obligations – let go of these security blankets – take a chance, a leap of faith and cast your lot with me.
What a shock, what a crazy idea. No way, he was not a gambling man – he wasn’t about to let go of his security, the certainties of his life – he had too much going for him.
Then we hear those tragic words – he went away sad, because he had many possessions – possessions that basically possess him.
He may have been wealthy but he wasn’t wise – wise in the sense of having a living sense of what things are and what they are not. He was wealthy but not wise in the sense of knowing what things in life really matter.
The rest of the words of Jesus are not against money and people who have money. No matter what we have the fact is – people and their needs come before the satisfaction we have over owning many things. We are our brothers and sisters keepers – whatever you do to one of these the least of my brothers and sisters you do to me. In the novel Angela’s Ashes no matter how little poor families had for themselves they always managed to find something to share with those who had less.
It’s providential that we hear this gospel this weekend – Sunday marks the 14th United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty – Seventeen years ago the House of Commons unanimously resolved to elimate poverty among Canadian children by the year 2000. Great rhetoric – the reality is one in six Canadian children live in poverty – the reality is 770,000 Canadians rely on food banks, 40 percent of them are children.
The developed countries are 10% of the world population yet we consume 80% of the world’s resources – a city such as ours should not have people living and sleeping on the streets.
Like the astounded disciples we too ask, who can be saved? The answer is the same for the rich and the poor – those whose love for God and for their fellow human beings expresses itself in an eagerness to do good for others.
As we continue our Mass we can pray for ourselves and for each other that we take the time to pray for ‘understanding’ and that wisdom be given to each of us, a wisdom that keeps us in touch with reality – a wisdom that keeps us aware of what really matters, what thing are really important, a wisdom that makes us always willing to do good for others.
Total: $10,003.66
Registered parishioners, with school-aged children in public or private schools who wish to receive one or more of the sacraments, may pick up a registration form in the main office at any time. Please bring completed forms and related documents to the parish office.
Parents, please bring completed registration forms and relevant documents to the parish office on OCT 17 (Tue) between 7:30 and 9:00 PM.
we will begin with the topic: How is our Christian life and ethics similar to those of other faith traditions? How are they different? TIME: 7:30 – 9:00 PM PLACE: Come to the Parish Office
I invite any girl or boy from grade 5 and upwards to join our Altar Servers. This is an important ministry in our parish. Mr. Tom Li, who is in charge of our Altar Servers, will be holding a training session on Sunday afternoon, October 22. If you are interested in serving the parish in this way, please call the parish office and leave your name and phone number or speak to me after one of the Masses. Fr. Paul
A reception will be held on Saturday, November 11th at 2:00PM in the Gabriel Room II for those in the parish community who are newcomers to the country. If you came to Canada recently (say in the past five years), please join us – we would like to get to know you and hear how you are adjusting to life in Canada. Please call Fatima at 416-221-8866 and leave your name and contact number.
Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.
Regular ground coffee: $5 Decaffeinated: $6 Whole Beans: $5 Chocolate Bars: $4 incl. taxes NEW: Two varieties of TEA
on the weekend of December 2nd & 3rd. Donations of craft items & baked goods will be most welcomed for this worthwhile event. Raffle tickets will be on sale on November 11/12 after all the Masses and again on November 25/26. Volunteers will also be needed. Please contact Linda 416-226-4645 or Bernadette 416-226-0100.
De La Salle College is a Catholic co-educational, private school for students in grades 5 to 12. This open house is for prospective students and their families for the academic year 2007/2008. Location: 131 Farnham Ave., Toronto. Please contact the Office of Admissions at 416-969-8771 ext 228.
The office of Admissions is now considering applications for September 2007. While St. Michael’s is a private school for boys, they offer academic scholarships and financial aid to qualified students. Location: 1515 Bathurst St.(at St. Clair Avenue West) 416-653-3180
All students and parents/guardians are invited. Location: 211 Steeles Ave. East. For information please contact the School Office at 416-393-5508.
October 8th, 2006
On Trinity Sunday we celebrate the mystery that the inner life of God is a life of relationships – The Father eternally begets the Son and the Spirit of love binds all three together. It’s a reality we really can’t get our heads around but as I mentioned before a mystery is not something of which we can know nothing, it is something of which we cannot know everything.
The 15 billion year history of our universe manifests that all creation is bound in relationships – solar systems relating to solar systems, planets to planets – species to species – cells to cells – atoms to atoms into the very depth of reality.
In today’s Genesis story of creation we see this same manifestation of relationship – it is not good for man – for anyone to be alone – because God is never alone – so in this story we see God trying to cure Adam’s loneliness by offering him helpmates, partners. Adam’s very naming of animals and birds forms a relationship with them – but they are not enough for Adam’s interpersonal needs. So we have the poetic imagery of God taking Adam’s rib and forming woman – flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone – so that these two could have a loving and life giving relationship – the two become one in mind, one in heart and one in affection. It is in and through our loving and life giving relationships – with one another and with God’s creation that we are in relationship with God.
As I mentioned last week we hope that through our prayer and praise in this ‘green’ church we come to our own greening, in the sense that we become more sensitive to and aware of our relationship, our kinship with all the life forms that share planet earth with us.
Today’s gospel is always a difficult one to deal with. In it Jesus takes us back to the beginnings and His insistence on holding on to God’s original dream of human relationships – the two become one. The words of Jesus are demanding – no divorce – if you remarry you commit adultery. Marriage in the days of Jesus is far removed from our reality of marriage – yet the ideal remains the same – til death do us part.
Often we romanticize the past, we think back on the golden age when divorce was a rarity. But the truth of the matter is – there were all kinds of marriage breakdowns even though society did not tolerate marriage break ups.
Yet just about every family deals with the harsh reality of divorce – not only the reality but the hurt and disappointment of divorce. Divorce is a form of death and we grieve for those who die. Divorce shatters the lives of husband and wife and children and the whole extended family. Divorce lets loose anger and resentment, rage and revenge – it rips apart the fabric of so many lives. We know that the ones who suffer the most are the children – I hate it when people who split tell me the children are coping very well – it’s wishful thinking. They are in denial.
Marriage is supposed to be a community of life and love – but what to do if a relationship becomes physically or emotionally abusive – if it becomes death dealing instead of life giving, destructive instead of creative? No one should be expected to stay in such a relationship.
But how should we see people who have divorced? First of all we can’t stand in judgment of their decision to end their relationships. They are still family, they are still church and they are always welcome here. They need our understanding and our support. We can pray for them that their wounds heal and that they find a new life giving love.
The gospel and Jesus quoting Genesis and ‘in the beginning God made them male and female’ brings us to the divisive issue of gay marriage. People have strong feelings about this matter. The fact is the government has the obligation to protect the rights of all its citizens – rights to housing and jobs and freedom from discrimination and the freedom to enter into honest and committed relationships, relationships that are protected by law – even if we can’t understand such relationships. Contrary to common perception, our Bishops have always recognized that obligation. It is their belief that the government made a mistake in extending to such relationships the title of marriage. I believe common sense tells us this is not so. The British has the wisdom to name such relationships – civil unions – with all the civil and legal rights of marriage. And all the emotional stress and strain of being faithful to their commitments as husbands and wives have to be faithful to their commitments.
As we continue to celebrate this Mass we thank God for all the stable, healthy life giving relationships that exist within our parish family – we pray for those who are in troubled relationships – we pray for those who have suffered the breakdown and breakup of their relationships, and we pray that they may know healing and find new love.
Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.
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Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk